NNLA Welcomes Five New Nebraska Certified Nursery and Landscape Professionals
The Nebraska Nursery and Landscape Association’s newest Nebraska Certified Nursery and Landscape Professionals (NCNLP) are Logan Faller, Travis Fricke, Kolby Jurgens, Samantha Rozic, and Brittany Timoney. They took the NCNLP Certification test in February and passed all three components.
The NCNLP program was established to promote the professionalism of individuals within the industry. A rigorous three-part test, which covers plan identification, landscape, and the NCNLP manual, must be successfully completed. To learn more about becoming a Nebraska Certified Nursery and Landscape Professional, visit nnla.org/certification.
LOGAN FALLER - FALLER LANDSCAPE, INC., YORK, NE
What factors motivated you to become certified?
My Dad was a big influence along with everyone I work with. They all pushed me to get better and get certified.
Educational and Work Background
I went to college at Northeast Community College and received an associate’s degree in Horticulture while working at Earl May. I then came home to work for my dad at Faller’s Landscape and have been here ever since.
TRAVIS FRICKE - LANDMARK NURSERY AND LANDSCAPE
What factors motivated you to become certified?
I felt the certification would validate my knowledge of plants and landscaping. Being seen as an expert in my field and having people ask my landscaping questions and plant suggestions helps me fulfill my goals.
Educational and Work Background
I went to Southeast Community College to get my associates degree in Horticulture. I worked at Campbell’s Nursery for four years and then I worked for Downtown Lincoln Association for two years. Currently I would for Landmark Nursey and Landscaping.
KOLBY JURGENS - JENSEN GARDENS
What factors motivated you to become certified?
I wanted to figure out what I did and did not know when it comes to landscaping.
Educational/Work Background
I studied Landscape Design and Grounds Management at Metropolitan Community College. While in school I did landscaping and grounds maintenance across several apartment complexes. I worked on irrigation systems, planted annuals, installed landscapes, and did general plant maintenance. After I was finished with school I started as a residential landscape designer.
SAMANTHA ROZIC - NEBRASKA NURSERY & COLOR GARDENS
What factors motivated you to become certified?
It has been important to me to continue my education throughout my career and by becoming certified, it shows that I have learned and mastered the requirements to be a landscape professional.
Educational/Work Background
I earned an associate’s degree from Southeast Community College for Horticulture and Agribusiness. I then earned a bachelor’s from the University of Nebraska – Lincoln in Horticulture with a focus in Landscape – Design/Build. My passion for horticulture started when I was in high school through FFA. I have been involved in the horticulture industry going on thirteen years. I worked for Great Plains Nursery before going back to school. While I was in college, I did internships with Bailey Nurseries and Nebraska Department of Agriculture.
BRITTANY TIMONEY - HEARTLAND LAWNS
What factors motivated you to become certified?
I love to continue my education in any way that I can. I feel that becoming a NCNLP and a NNLA member will open doors to networking and learning from others in the industry.
Educational/Work Background
I graduated from Southeast Community College in Beatrice with an associate’s degree in horticulture and a business certificate. In college, I completed an internship with Monrovia Nurseries in Visalia, California. After finishing college, I worked full-time at Campbell’s Nurseries as a landscape designer and nursery sales associate. I am currently at Heartland Lawns as a landscape designer and continue to learn and grow in the industry.